Catalog:

1. The Kosh Madrasah Ensemble ^www
   In the same district with the Samanid mausoleum and Chashma-iy-Ayub, not far from the park is situated one of the most interesting ensembles of Bukhara "Kosh-Madrasah" (Kosh Madrasah Ensemble), which is typical of Bukhara. The word "Kosh" means "paired" because two structures of the ensemble face one another across a narrow street. The sponsor of the Ensemble was Abdullah-khan II (1561-1598), the most successful khan of Shaibanid dynasty. In 974 A.H. (1566-67) he built up the Modari-khan Madrasah in memory of his mother (“Modari-khan” means “mother of khan”). The date of construction is inserted in majolica inscription above the main entrance. As to composition of structure, the madrasah has fairly standard layout including a dormitory, which consists of small cells (hudjras) around a courtyard, public halls of a mosque and lecture-rooms (darskhana) along both sides of front. The facade (peshtaq) of the madrasah has gorgeous appearance because of multicolor brick mosaic.
   Rating: 331


2. The Sitora-I-Mohi-Hosa Palace ^www
   The summer-palace of Bukhara emir Sitora-I-Mohi-Hosa (Sitora-i-Mohi-Khosa) (from Persian "House of the Moon and the Star") is located at a distance of 4 kilometers (2,5 miles) to the north from Bukhara. The construction of the palace had began at the end of the 19-th century, when the best artisans sent by the order of the Bukhara emir Ahadhan to St. Petersburg and Yalta for studying of experience of Russian architects had returned from Russia. Therefore, architecture of the ensemble is a mix of the elements typical for European architecture with ornate interior design of Isfahan palaces and the centuries-old experience of local construction traditions.
   Rating: 327


3. Samanid Mausoleum ^www
   The Samanid mausoleum is located in the historical urban nucleus of the city of Bukhara, in a park laid out on the site of an ancient cemetery. The mausoleum, one of the most esteemed sights of Central Asian architecture, was erected by the Samanid ruler Ismail Samani sometime before 943 AD. An existing waqf document indicates that it was possibly built for his father. Although three bodies lie within, a wooden plaque identifies only Ismail's grandson, Nasr ibn Ahmad ibn Ismail or as-Said Nasr II (d. 943). Ostensibly the family crypt of the last Persian dynasty to rule in Central Asia, which held the city in the 9th and 10th centuries, it is possible that, consistent with popular nomenclature, the structure does indeed contain the grave of Ismail Samani himself.
   Rating: 326


4. Valida-i Abd al-Aziz-khan Madrasah ^+info
   The initial core of Valida-i Abd al-Aziz-khan Madrasah was Abdulla-khan Mosque. It is the ancient domical building, sponsored by Abdulla-khan's mother. The Mosque has served for the five daily prayers (masjid-y panchvakty), as well as for "collective" prayers on Fridays (masjid-y jamihony). Buildings of the Mosque was subjected to numerous reconstructions during a time, and this religious complex (opposite the Djuibory Kalon Madrasah) had been given the name - Valida-i Abd al-Aziz-khan (Voliday Abdullazizkhan Madrasah), which also carries us away to the past, when this area bore the name of this great man.
   Rating: 324


5. Kurpa Mosque ^www
   Western passage of Taq-i Telpaq Furushon opens to the street Mekhtar Ambar. A little in front on the left, stands out the Kurpa Mosque in its unrenewed grace. The Kurpa Mosque is situated in the residential quarter, formerly called "Magoki Kurpa", i.e." Hollow of blanket(s' bazaar)". The two-storied structure of the Kurpa Mosque has a quite typical design. However the mosque has one peculiarity. The lower floor, made for a cold spell in winter, is semi-basement. At first sight, an entrance to the lower floor does not give an intimation that it leads to a roomy premise of cathedral mosque. It is exactly what the mosque initially was assigned to be. Until the Khoja Kalon Mosque was put into operation, the Kurpa mosque used to be a central cathedral mosque, no matter how small it was. The Kurpa Mosque had tahorathona - a place for partial ablution, which, according to sharia law, should precede each prayer. The mosque was built before 1598 on initiative of Khoja Sa'ad - called "Khoja Kalon" - "Great Khoja", the son of Khoja Islam. In 1598 Khoja Sa'ad built new cathedral mosque, named "Khoja Mosque" or "Khoja Kalon Mosque", with tall minaret close to the Gaukushan Madrasah.
   Rating: 322


6. Rabat-i-Malik and the Malik sardoba ^www
   On the roadside in the Malik Steppe, one can see the portal of the 12th century, which leads to the ruins of the fortress Rabat-i-Malik -"Prince's rabat". The word "rabat" means "castle", or "fortress". It refers to the fortified settlements and places of rest along caravan routes. During the heyday of the Silk Road, travelers and merchants gathered within the walls of this fortress on the road from Samarkand to Bukhara. The remainders of finishing - carved stucco, figured ornamental brickwork and unglazed carved ceramics - give food for reflection about the lost beauty.
   Rating: 314


7. Zindan ^www
   In times of Soviet regime, the Zindan in Bukhara symbolized the despotism of overthrown government. But in fact, the state itself, which accused the local rulers of despotism, had enormous number of prisoners. Zindan is an ancient prison, which could receive no more than 40 people, basically debtors and religio-ethical-rule-breakers. In compare with number of inhabitants of Bukhara, this quantity was laughable. That is evidence the low rate of crimes in Bukhara. One Islamic principle that is directly related to prisons is freedom. A fundamental rule says that freedom is an aim of the Law-Giver. A prison, therefore, could not be used to restrain people's freedoms unless it is judged that this freedom will cause the society substantial harm. Otherwise, every precaution should be taken before people's freedom is compromised by imprisonment.
   Rating: 313


8. The Magak-i Attari Mosque ^www
   Before the Arab conquest there was a bazaar close by the site of the Magak-i Attari Mosque (Magoki Attoron Mosque), i.e. the "Mosque in pit". It was a market for idols, potions and spices - attar (perfumes). Besides this, there, was formerly a Temple of the moon (Mokh) at this place. Abu Bakr Muhammad ibn al-Narshakhi of Bukhara, who had completed his book in 943 A.D. (A.H. 332), mentions the mosque, which was built on the site of former Mokh Temple. He used the name "magok", i.e. "in a pit", because even then half of it was concealed from view by the rising soil level. Hence, the mosque, perhaps, is one of the earliest religious buildings of Islamic era in Bukhara. Choice of place for the mosque also proves this assumption, because Arab conquerors built their sanctuaries first of all at the places of prostrated cults. In Bukhara, it had taken place at least once more; the very first cathedral mosque was built at the place of destroyed temple of fire-worshippers. There is opinion that the Kalyan Mosque was afterwards built exactly at that place.
   Rating: 313


9. Bukhara Hotels ^www
   Bukhara hotels. Hotels in Bukhara. Information. Booking
   Rating: 298